When I finished high school, I couldn’t wait to leave my medium-sized town to move to Toronto. I was 19 years old, and the city held promises of new friends, late nights, live music everywhere you looked, and above all, freedom. I didn’t want to live in the university dormitories (I cringed at the whole concept of frosh week), so I moved into my older brother’s house on the Danforth and took the subway to my bookstore job and to my school.
Seven years in, I still love my city of Toronto — but now I enjoy escaping to the quiet life outside the 416 area code.
My parents live in the country now. Not in Newmarket, where new subdivision homes are being built in the blink of an eye. No, they live a bit further away. A few hours further. Take one road, then another, and then stay on that road for more than 100 clicks.
It’s so beautiful. Simply beautiful.
And here’s where I find the differences between country and city.
You know you’re in the country when…
1. You have to clear the snow from your driveway with a tractor, as evidenced below (my stepdad is driving this):
2. You have three cats and a dog. In our Toronto apartment, not even one pet is practical. My kid sister took these photos before I could tell her not to use the camera “flash” directly in the animals’ eyes (but aren’t these animals beautiful?):
3. You’re going to sleep and you don’t hear anything.
In the city, there are no shortage of noises — buses, cars, neighbours, the annoying motorcycle driver who speeds by your bedroom window at 3 a.m….
When I travel north, I leave the sounds behind. This allows me to create new sounds that turn into new songs. My latest song, “Don’t Think, Just Feel” (unreleased) was finished during my last trip to the country. It’s a nice place to put your thoughts in order. Aside from the four animals running about, it’s generally quiet and peaceful.
Enjoy the photos below of the winter wonderland that is Grey County, Ontario. The first one looks like the surface of the moon to me (minus the glare from the window).
Now I’m turning on my electric guitar amp to practise for my Canadian Music Week (CMW) showcase with my new muse, the Epiphone Sheraton. I’m back in the city, after all. The acoustic guitar can stay in its case for the time being.
My good friend Kevin Zarnett (above) and I recently recorded some quick tunes for a Beatles project we’re involved in — two guitars, and two voices. We perform the Beatles songbook at private events / corporate / weddings. Here are two of my favourites; “Here Comes the Sun” and “Let It Be”. Enjoy. If you’re interested in bookings, please contact larra@larraskye.com.
Here’s a video of me singing with the Tyler Yarema Quintet at the Reservoir Lounge in Toronto a few weeks ago. I’m performing the Ray Charles tune, “Hallelujah I Love Her So”, with a female vocalist twist.
Enjoy. Also, you can catch Tyler doing his thing at the Reservoir every Tuesday and Saturday night. What a band!
Wishing you a happy holiday season. This week, I performed in Norwegian and I want to share it with you. To sing this lovely song by Grieg, I sought out the Norwegian Club of Toronto and now have made new friends (who were witness to my pronunciation at last night’s performance). What a lovely end to a lovely year.
I’ve also been writing some new pop songs and am including a video of my new song ‘Pull Me In’. Please prepare to hear completely contrasting performances — one video is pop and one is classical. Hope you enjoy both!
Thank you for all your support, and all the best for 2010!
“… another of Canada’s fine young female jazz singer / songwriters.”
“Larra Skye brings more passion to her singing, and injects more fun into her performances than another one of her peers Sophie Milman, and during her gig at the Rex the crowd quickly warmed up to, not only Skye’s music but her personable demeanor. One would think in time, if promoted correctly, Skye should eventually exceed Milman’s popularity, which is not a diss of Milman as an artist, as she has devoted fans on both sides of the Canadian – American border, but it is more a tip of the hat to Skye.”
[note from LS: I think Sophie Milman is super talented, so this comes as a huge compliment].
“The combination of Skye’s smoky vocals and pianist Dave Restivo’s solo, evoked a passionate response from the appreciative crowd.”
“In contrast to her sultry vocals on “All Or Nothing At All,” Skye’s phrasing was both tender and romantic as she performed her original piece “Turn Up The Stars,” from her The World Disappears CD. Skye sang the lines “Sweep me off my feet / If you say that you love me / Say it’s forever,” with authenticity.”
“There is an appropriate line in “Whisper A Secret,” also from Skye’s album, “The smoky jazz groove hits me like a heartbeat,” that accurately describes her vocals as she accompanied herself on acoustic guitar, while singing the love letter. Larra Skye’s ability to permit herself to be vulnerable in front of her audience, allows those who are in love to remember why, and creates a yearning among those who are not.”
“Larra Skye was also believable and reflective, as though she were recalling personal memories, while covering The Beatles’ “A Day In The Life.” She was accompanied only by her pianist, as they presented a stripped down version of the song that she first performed on CIUT Radio in Toronto, two years ago, during a tribute to The Beatles.”
It’s quarter to ten on a Sunday morning and as I’m typing this, I’m wondering why I’m up so early!
Last night my band and I performed at the Rex Jazz & Blues Bar, on Queen Street in Toronto. The Rex has been around forever, and attracts jazz fans and tourists, young and old, casual or dressy. It’s always nice to see who comes to the shows. I meet people from the UK, South America, Japan… Calgary – and of course plenty of Torontonians.
I love playing music live on stage. Even doing the jazz/pop original music that we play, there is so much improvisation that goes on – trading scat with the saxophonist (Luis), changing endings to the songs, switching up the feel of a tune and going with the ‘vibe’ – y’know? It rejuvenates me and puts me in high spirits. To quote a favourite UK soul tune – “there’s nothing like this”!
Here are some photos of the Larra Skye Quintet, Saturday July 25th at the Rex. All photos taken by the masterful Greg King.
Thank you to those who filled the room and listened.
Last week I played two shows – one was with pianist extraordinaire Dave Restivo at the Sutton Place Hotel. The view was amazing and the hors d’oeuvres even better. We played two sets for the Hot Docs crowd gathered there. Party was thrown by Henge Productions from St. John’s — here is a link to their awesome trailer, ‘Where’s My Goat’?
I’m writing this blog entry as a break from moving vinyl records around the apartment. That’s how it goes when you live with a hiphop DJ. And the records keep coming in the mail.. week after week.. after week…
Here are some recent photos, on the town and in performance:
With Devo Brown (Flow 93.5) and Cabbie (The Score). A Gutsy Affair Fundraiser Gala, April 2009. Nice fellows.
At the Rex with my band, April 2009. Photo: Greg King. Vintage dress bought at Penny Arcade on Dundas, near Ossington. Amazing shop.
With Rich Underhill at Ten Feet Tall, January 2009. Clothing by JUMA.
I also did some product shot modelling in March for my friends at JUMA. See if you can find me on their site. Here is a link to their online catalogue:
March 2009. Clothing by JUMA. (Sorry, didn't know how to rotate).
In other news, I’ve started singing backups in a country/blues/rock band — I’m hoping to perform in Europe in the fall — and I’m still studying classical music to round it all out.
